04/13/2021
Dear Commander O’Connell,
As an American Legion Leader For Erie County in New York State, I am writing to respectfully ask for your assistance. Attached is an announcement for the WNY Cemetery Memorial Council and our Avenue of Flags Program. Would you please forward this to the members and post commanders in your area of jurisdiction?
We have had success beginning this Council and its committee’s but are counting on the support of veteran groups to make this new National Cemetery an extra special place. A brief description follows for your review.
The Western New York National Cemetery is opened in Corfu, NY creating a nearby resting place for our nation’s veterans.
A unique feature there will be the Avenue of Flags. This presentation will augment the reverence of this distinguished place. The flying interment flags are donated by families whose veteran relatives were entitled to military honors at their funeral. This interment, or casket flag, may be donated by the family to this National Cemetery’s Memorial Council (501c3) for display on the Avenue of Flags. The Veteran’s Administration only permits interment flags to be flown. Store bought flags are not authorized.
Only two other National Cemeteries have this unique style of presentation. Many families have donated their flags at these cemeteries to be flown in honor of all veterans and as a tribute to their loved one regardless of where that veteran is buried.
The presentation is set up in Spring and retired after Veterans Day and counts on the aid of volunteer teams to maintain its integrity. Teams inspect the flags and when one becomes unserviceable, it is removed and a new flag is put in its place. Weather-worn flags are retired with dignity and the ashes placed in the graves of veteran’s who are interred at the cemetery in the future. Flags will always remain at the Western New York National Cemetery to pay tribute to all those who honorably served their country.
The Western New York National Cemetery Memorial Council respectfully invites you to donate your interment flag to the Avenue of Flags. It will fly to honor a loved one’s memory and all departed veterans. Also, if you would consider a tax-deductible donation to support the equipment and upkeep for this program or wish to become involved with the Memorial Council itself please contact us at the numbers below.
The Memorial Council is a 501c3 organization and membership is open to all individuals, groups and organization that wishes to support our mission. To become a Member in Good Standing with the WNY Memorial Council you may do so by sending in “Lifetime” membership dues of $30.00.
Checks are to be written to WNY Heroes with “WNY Memorial Council Dues” written on the memo line to ensure it is placed in the correct account.
Mail them to: WNY Heroes 8205 Main Street, Suite 1, Williamsville, NY 14221.
This is also the protocol for any donations with “Flag Committee Donation” on the memo line. A letter of thanks will go out on our letterhead with WNY Heroes tax exempt number on it.
For membership information contact; William Joyce, 585.815.7905 [email protected]
For Avenue of Flags information contact: Mark Janik, 716-627-2919 [email protected]
Respectfully Submitted,
Mark Janik CFSP, CPC, CFC
Avenue of Flags Committee Chair – WNY National Cemetery Memorial Council
Licensed Funeral Director
Lakeside Memorial Funeral Home, Inc.
Hamburg West Seneca
4199 Lake Shore Road 1340 Union Road
Hamburg NY 14075 West Seneca NY 14224
716-627-2919 716-674-5776
